Pseudoephedrine (By mouth)
soo-doe-e-FED-rin
Treats stuffy nose and sinuses.
Drug classes
Decongestant (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Pseudoephedrine is used to relieve nasal or sinus congestion caused by the common cold, sinusitis, and hay fever and other respiratory allergies. It is also used to relieve ear congestion caused by ear inflammation or infection.
Some of these preparations are available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years of age. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects .
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Long Acting Capsule, Capsule, Long Acting Tablet, Tablet, Liquid, Chewable Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription. If this medicine makes you feel restless, avoid taking it at bedtime.
Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, or break.
The chewable tablet must be chewed completely before you swallow it. Do not swallow it whole.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
If a dose is missed:
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
You should not use pseudoephedrine with cocaine or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (Parnate®, Marplan®, Eldepryl®).
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to pseudoephedrine. Do not give any over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicine to a baby or child under 4 years old. Using these medicines in very young children might cause serious or possibly life-threatening side effects.
Warnings
Check with your doctor before using if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate, or an overactive thyroid.
You should not use this medicine for more than 7 days unless ordered by a doctor.
If you do not get better after using this medicine for 7 days, or if you have a fever, talk to your doctor.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Chest pain
Very fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
Wheezing or shortness of breath
Severe restlessness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Nervousness or dizziness
Trouble sleeping
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
12 Hour Cold Maximum Strength, 12 Hour Decongestant, 12-Hour Cold Relief, Biofed, Cenafed, Children’s Sudafed, Chlor-Trimeton Nasal Decongestant, Congestion, Contac 12-Hour, Dimetapp Decongestant, Efidac 24 Pseudoephedrine, ElixSure Congestion Children’s, Genaphed, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Nasal Decongestant, Good Neighbor Pharmacy Suphedrin, Good Neighbor Suphedrine Children’s, Good Sense 12 Hour Decongestant, Good Sense Nasal Decongestant, Kodet Se, Nasal Decongestant, Pediacare Decongestant Infants, Pseudocot, Simply Stuffy, Sudafed
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
